After listening to Hua Yue's words, Zhou Jun recalled what had happened in the past few days, one was Xiao's marriage proposal, and the other was Qu Fan's marriage. He thought that maybe this girl had seen these and had some feelings.
All the way from Bahe River back to the wing room, Zhou Jun and Hua Yue talked about the slave status of the Tang Dynasty, and also thought about the changes in slavery in the future history of the Tang Dynasty.
From the establishment of the Li Tang Dynasty to the Anshi Rebellion, the Tang Dynasty had the largest number of slaves. First, due to many years of foreign campaigns, many prisoners were taken; second, due to serious political struggles, countless people were expelled; third, due to the slaves left over from the previous dynasty, they were
Inherited.
From the Anshi Rebellion to the extermination of Buddhism in Huichang, the number of slaves decreased sharply, and their status also rose rapidly. Firstly, it was because the country's power was weakened and it was unable to conquer foreign countries; secondly, due to the increasing demand for military resources, a large number of slaves were trained into troops; thirdly, because
Many noble families, noble landowners, and temples were uprooted, and most of the slaves were released as slaves.
From the eradication of Buddhism in Huichang to the eradication of Tang Dynasty, slavery experienced a large-scale purge throughout the entire Tang Dynasty, and was almost insignificant.
Most of the slaves were attached to the families of powerful officials, which did not generate taxes, restricted the flow of labor, and increased the risk cost of the regime. For those in power, it could be said to do more harm than good.
Starting from Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, emperors of all dynasties have repeatedly restricted slavery.
For example, in recent years.
The first year of Yongchang issued an edict: "There are many slaves and maidservants below the prince."
On May 3rd of the first year of Dazu, an edict was issued: "No Turkish slaves and maidservants are allowed in border counties in the northwest."
During the Tianbao period of Xuanzong, it was also announced: "The prince's family should not have more than twenty people. The official of the first rank should not have more than twelve people, the second rank should not have more than ten people...the fifth rank should not have more than four people."
But in the end, these regulations did not have much effect.
The aristocratic clans, officials and dignitaries are still keeping slaves when they should, and there is even a faint tendency to increase the number.
In the final analysis, it was the interest groups within Datang that were so intertwined and deeply entrenched that even the imperial power was involved. It was extremely difficult to resolve them.
In the next few days, Zhou Jun dealt with the affairs of Bieyuan while preparing for Shu Lingshi's appointment.
The day came when he officially took office.
The sun has not yet risen in the sky, and the entire sky is still dotted with stars.
Zhou Jun put on the ocher-yellow official robe, walked to the gate of Bieyuan, and said to Hua Yue who was seeing him off: "On the days when I go on duty, the affairs here in Bieyuan will be handled by you."
Huayue said: "Erlang, please be at ease."
Zhou Jun took the horse from the concierge and said to Huayue: "Today is the first day of taking office, and I don't know what time it will be. If it's late and I can't make it in time for the curfew, I will go home and live there. There is no need to wait any longer.
"
Huayue nodded again.
Before he set off, Zhou Jun saw Yuping walking from the side.
After handing the reins to Hua Yue, Zhou Jun raised his hand to Yu Ping and asked, "But Mr. Pang has something to teach me?"
Yuping: "Pang Gong said, if you are involved in a lawsuit in the capital, don't worry too much, just do your duty."
Zhou Jun responded.
Yuping: "Pang Gong also said that he might be busy in the past few days, so Erlang will take care of it first and there is no need to come back."
Zhou Jun agreed again.
Seeing that Yuping stopped talking, Zhou Jun was stunned and asked: "Is that all?"
Yuping: "That's all."
Zhou Jun first frowned and thought for a moment, then bowed his hand to Yuping, then got on his horse and left Bachuan Villa along the path.
After riding all the way, Zhou Jun entered Chunming Gate and left his horse in a stable in Xingdaofang. Zhou Jun walked to Anshang Gate.
When he arrived at Anshangmen, Zhou Jun took out the official talisman stamped by the Ministry of Officials, checked it with Wu Wei and entered the door.
Go all the way north, along Anshangmen Street, and arrive at the Bieyuan of Shangshu Province.
Zhou Jun showed the official talisman to the military guard at the main gate of Bieyuan, and was told that all the foreign officials entered from the Aomen Gate on the east side.
After walking half a circle around the courtyard wall, Zhou Jun found the gate. After checking the official talisman, he followed the direction of the corridor and walked all the way to the north.
Du Guan Si's Yamen is located in the northeast corner. After entering the gate, the first thing that caught Zhou Jun's eyes was a busy and orderly scene.
A large number of people dressed in ocher-yellow official robes were running back and forth holding stacks of books.
In the library there, there are rows and rows of bookcases about three meters high. There is the subordinate clerk stepping on the wooden ladder, looking for books.
Zhou Jun stood at the door, suddenly at a loss.
There was a busy scene all around, but he was standing there alone, not knowing where to go.
Fortunately, a man wearing a turban and dark green robe stopped him.
I saw that the man was quite old, with a yellowish complexion and a gloomy complexion. He asked Zhou Jun: "But is the new Shu Ling Shi?"
Seeing this man's attire, Zhou Jun guessed that he was a high-ranking official, so he quickly bowed and sang.
The man nodded and said: "My surname is Cheng, please call me Chief Cheng."
Zhou Jun opened his mouth and wanted to introduce himself to his family, but unexpectedly the other party said first: "Zhou Jun, Zhou Hengcai, are you right?"
Zhou Jun was stunned and quickly nodded in agreement.
Director Cheng smiled and said, "Follow me and go see Mr. Wei first."
Zhou Jun followed Master Cheng and followed him all the way to the right compartment of the inner courtyard.
The two of them first stood in front of the compartment door, and Chief Cheng said something disturbing toward the door.
After a while, a word came from inside.
"Enter."
The two of them entered the hall in the right wing and then entered the small room in the side hall.
Zhou Jun saw a man in his forties behind the desk, writing something furiously.
Chief Cheng looked forward, bowed and said, "Except Member Wei, the newly judged order has arrived."
When Wei Yuwai heard this, he raised his head and looked behind Director Cheng. When he saw Zhou Jun, his expression was obviously startled.
After looking at it carefully, Wei Yuanwai put down his pen and asked with some uncertainty: "Are you that Zhou Hengcai?"
Zhou Jun bowed his hands and said, "Yes."
Wei Yuanwai nodded and said: "He is really a handsome young man."
Zhou Jun quickly lowered his head and said something modest.
Officer Wei waved his hand and said, "Mr. Xu has gone to the palace, and I'm afraid he won't be able to come back today. Chief Cheng, please take him with you."
Chief Cheng responded.
Wei Yuanwai glanced at Zhou Jun again, then picked up the pen and said again: "Go."
After exiting the door, Zhou Jun followed Master Cheng, just listening to the latter's words.
Chief Cheng, whose real name is Cheng Su and whose courtesy name is Changyuan, is from Sizhou. He was originally a foreign official in the state capital. After many years of moving around and passing eight exams, he became the chief official of the eighth rank.
According to what he said, the main officials of these lawsuits were one and the other. The chief official, Langzhong, was named Xu Hao, and the deputy official, Wailang, was named Wei Lian.
The governor of the capital was in charge of keeping records of prisoners, providing them with food, clothing, and medicine, and dispensing with them from lawsuits.
One department is divided into four cao, one cao is used to record prisoners, one cao is used to provide clothing, food and medicine, one cao is used to exempt people from prosecution, and one cao is used to collect miscellaneous items.
Chief Cheng was in charge of the records of prisoners and officials, and Zhou Jun, who was a scribe and historian, also belonged to this Cao Cao.
Returning to the Siwu Hall of Du Guanshi, Chief Cheng returned to his desk and searched for it.
Zhou Jun first looked at him, then at the busy colleagues around him, and couldn't help but said: "Mr. Cheng, it's my first day since I took office, and I don't know what to do. Please give me some advice."
Chief Cheng found a fish bag from the case, handed it to Zhou Jun, and said, "This is a fish talisman, please take care of it."
Zhou Jun took the fish bag and opened it. Inside was the right half of a fish charm made of copper, with his name and official position on it.
Chief Cheng looked at Zhou Jun and said solemnly: "Hengcai, come with me out of the office. I have something urgent to do."
What's urgent?
Zhou Jun's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Mr. Pang told Mr. Cheng something?
Without much time for Zhou Jun to think, Chief Cheng packed up his things and went directly to Laimen.
Zhou Jun had no choice but to catch up quickly.
The two of them left Shangshu Province and then Anshangmen.
Mr. Cheng rented a carriage from the nearby Chulu Branch in Xingdaofang and reported his address to the coachman.
After getting on the carriage, Mr. Cheng sat there with his eyes closed and concentrating, without saying a word.
Zhou Jun felt a little uneasy when he saw it, but he didn't dare to ask.
The carriage did not drive for too long. It only passed two streets and then stopped.
Zhou Jun followed Master Cheng out of the carriage, looked up at the inscription on the square gate, and stood there blankly for a moment.
I saw three big characters written on the monument.